Mailing wrapper with built-in receptacle



Jan. 9, 1934. M HEYMAN 1,943,074

MAILING WRAPPER WITH BUILT-IN RECEPTACLE Filed Feb. 15. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1934. M EYMA 1,943,074

MAILING WRAPPER WITH BUILT-IN RECEPTACLE Filed Feb. 15. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 5 5 5 I DU I INVENTOR Jan. 9, 1934. M. M. HEYMAN 74 MAILING WRAPPER WITH BUILT-IN RECEPTACLE Filed Feb. 15 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE M'AILING WRAPPER WITH BUILT-IN RECEPTACLE 12 Claims.

My present invention relates generally-to re-. ceptacle devices, and has particular reference to a combination receptacle and wrapper therefor.

My invention is primarily directed toward the ii type of receptacle which is composed or formed of sheet material such as paper, cardboard, or the like; and its principal object is to provide a convenient, attractive, effective, and economical means for packaging a commodity which is to be transported or distributed by mail. To illustrate the general objective of my present invention, I will state that it is frequently the practice of advertisers or merchants to distribute free samples of their products. A sample of the product is usually placed in a container along with the necessary or desirable advertising literature that is to accompany it, and the container is then wrapped in a more or less conventional manner, and mailed. Sometimes, the advertising material is placed between the wrapped container and the outer wrapping, but because of the likelihood that it would be disregarded or lost, it is usually preferable to place it inside of the inner container.

A procedure of the foregoing character is relatively expensive since it necessitates the production of containers, the separate production -of wrappers therefor, the independent production of advertising material, and the labor involved in assembling all the material and wrapping it. This type of procedure has also been found to be disadvantageous for the reason that the advertising literature is necessarily in a rolled, folded, and usually crumpled condition when it reaches the recipient; this fact, coupled with the fact that it is unattached, causes it to be frequently disregarded and discarded; and the package, when received and opened, is not particularly striking or attractive and frequently is not as effective as it is intended to be.

It is a general object of my present invention to provide a device which obviates these numerous disadvantages and which embodies, in addition, a number of novel and striking features which makes it highly useful and effective in fulfilling the purposes of,a sample campaign of the fore-. going general character.

One of the main features of my invention lies in providing a device which is composed entirely of a single blank of sheet material and which is so constructed and arranged that the inner container for the commodity, the advertising matter, and'the outer wrapper are integrally and permanently associated. Furthermore, the manner of construction and association is such that a recipient of the package is not only unable to escape or disregard the message intended for him by the sender, but is definitely and pleasingly startled upon opening the package so that a highly desirable and effective interest is aroused.

Another feature of my invention lies in an arrangement whereby the inner receptacle of the device is not only complete and self-sustaining, but may be caused to be in almost every respectan exact replica of the commercial package which the sample is intended to advertise.

Furthermore, the construction is such that the inner receptacle is not only permanently and ef fectively secured in permanent relationship to the wrapper in which it has been shipped, but is adapted to be severed from the wrapper, if desired, so that it may conveniently be retained by the recipient.

One of the most important features of my invention lies in an arrangement-whereby. the desirable results hereinbefore illustratively enumerated may be achieved by means of a single integral blank of sheet material which need be embellished or printed on only one surface thereof.

It will be understood. of course, that my invention is not restricted, either in whole or in part, to devices which are used for distributing sample commodities; and although I have herein illustrated and shall hereinafter describe a number of I embodiments designed for such purpose, many phases of my invention are equally applicable to receptacle devices having other objectives.

' I achieve the foregoing objects and'advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manher illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device of the present character shown in assembled condition and ready for mailing; i

Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank of which the device of Figure 1'is made; a

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the deviceof Figure 1 during the process of opening and un- I wrapping;

Figure 4 isa perspective view of the device of Figurel as the same appears to the recipient after unwrapping;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the blank used in a modified construction;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the assembled device of Figure 6 as it is in process of opening and unwrapping;

Figure B is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7 showing the condition in which it presents itself to the recipient as it is unwrapped;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank showing a further modification;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figures 3 and '7 showing the manner in which the assembled device is unwrapped;

Figure 12 is a perspective View showing the manner in which the device presents itself to the recipient after it is unwrapped; and

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 1313 of Figure 11.

The blank of Figure 2 is composed of or divided into a plurality of adjacent hinged sections. Where the blank is made of cardboard or its. equivalent, the sections may be defined by scoring between them.

In the embodiment of Figures 1-5, the blank is composed of twelve adjacent, substantially rectangular sections 20-31 inclusive. The sections of the group 24-27 are constructed and arranged to constitute the side walls of a substantially tubular receptacle of the type in which toothpaste, for example, is customarily dispensed. A tubular receptacle of this character is polygonal in cross-section, and, more specifically, foursided. Accordingly, the width of the section 25 is the same as that of the section 27; and the width of the section 24 is the same as that of the section 26.-

Hinged to one end of the section'27 I have shown a section 32 adapted to form one end wall of the tubular receptacle, and attached to the opposite end of the section 27 is a similar end wall section 33.

I have also shown six cooperative closure flaps which are adapted to interengage when the receptacle is set up so as to maintain it in closed and assembled condition. The closure flaps 34 and 35 have been shown hinged to the opposite ends of the section 24; the closure flaps 36 and 37 have been shown hinged to the opposite ends of the section 26; and the closure flaps 38 and 39 are shown hinged to the outer edges of the end wall sections 32 and 33, respectively.

The groups of twelve contiguous sections 24- 27, 32- 39 is thus constructed and arranged to form a complete self-sustaining receptacle of the single-blank, knock-down variety. The receptacle is formed in the more or less conventional manner which consists in adjusting the aligned sections 2427 toward the reverse face of the blank so as to form a rectangular tube, then adjusting the'closure flaps 34-37 in the same direction so as to position them over the open ends of the tube, then adjusting the sections 32 and 33 downwardly over the ends of the tube, and finally tucking the flaps 38 and 39 into the erids. The flap 38 interengages with the flaps 34 and 36 while the flap 39 interengages with the flaps 35 and 37, thereby serving to hold the rectangular, substantially tubular receptacle in assembled condition, as shown in Figure 4.

It is to be noted that the receptacle of Figurea 4 is permanently and integrally associated with the remaining sections of the blank, these remaining sections being connected to the receptacle at one edge thereof, viz,-the edge 40, and being integral extensions of the walls 24 and 27 of the receptacle.

The sections attached to the set-up receptacle are so configured and of such a size and arrange- I I ment as to permit them to be wrapped around the receptacle to form a complete enclosure therefor. Thus,'I have shown a section 41 hinged to one end of the section 22 and a closure flap 42 hinged to the outer edge of the section 41; a similar pair of sections 43 and 44 being secured to the opposite end of the section 22.

In the embodiment illustrated, the sections 20, 22, 23, 28, and 30 are each of a width substantially equal, or, perhaps, only slightly greater than the widthrof the section 25. The width of the section 21 and of the section 29 are substan tially equal to the width of the section 24.

In adjusting the wrapper sections around the receptacle, theyare all adjusted toward the obverse face of the blank in the manner more clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The first step is to double the section 23 back upon the section 2'7, as shown in Figure 5. The section 23 is then doubled back to overlie the section 28, and the section 22 then falls into position over the section 23, forming three plies of wrapping material over the side wall 27 of the receptacle. ,The section 21 is then caused to lie over the receptacle wall 24 and the section 20 is caused to lie over the receptacle wall 25. The sections 41 and 43 a e then folded over to enclose the end walls 32 and 33 of the receptacle, and the closure flaps 42 and 44 are brought down over the section 20, as shown in Figure 3. The section 29 is then laid over the receptacle wall 26, and the section 30 is caused to overlie the closure flaps 42' and 44, thereby providing three plies of wrapping material over the I 46 is attached. The string is wrapped around the enclosed device and engages with the button 45 to hold the device in assembled and wrapped condition.

In preparing the blank, only the" obverse face need be embellished, for example, in the manner illustratively shown in Figure 2. Although the manner of embellishment may vary to suit difiering requirements, a striking effect can be produced by ornamenting or embellishing the obverse faces of the receptacle sections in a manner simulating the ornamentation of the commercial package being advertised. The obverse facesof the sections entering into the wrapper portion of the device may be advantageously provided with the advertising message, whatever it may be. If desired, one or more of the sections may be formed into a coupon, as shown in Figure 2, in connection with sections 43-44, for obvious purposes.

The unique and desirable characteristics of my device will be most fully appreciated by viewing and considering Figures 1, 3, and 4, in the order specified. The package of Figure 1 is an attrac vtive, staunch device suitablefor mailing or the like. When it is received, it is a simple matter for the recipient to undo the string 46, whereuponthe sections of the wrapper will start to fall away,

as shown in Figure 3. In continuing to unwrap since it is self-sustaining, but, it is securely and permanently attached to the balance of the device so that there in no possibility for the recip- This. interior receptacle does not open, at this stage,

ient to discard the wrapper without at the same 5 time discarding the receptacle and its contents. Accordingly, the advertising message appearing upon those surfaces of the wrapper which are at that time exposed to view is forcefully and inescapably impressed upon the recipient. Furthermore, his curiosity is no doubt aroused, not only as to the contents of the interior receptacle'but also as to the manner in which it is attached to the wrapper. He thereupon opens thereceptacle inthe conventional manner, withdrawing one of the end walls 32 or 33. In doing this, he not only gains access to the product contained therein, but he also discovers that the receptacle itself unfolds and flattens out into an integral part of the single flat blank shown in Figure 2. Y

Should the recipient desire to retain the product and the receptacle in which it is contained, it is a comparatively simple matter for him to tear the receptacle from the wrapper along the edge 40 of Figure 4. The receptacle remains in selfsustaining condition.

in any event, it is obvious that the recipient is inescapably presented and confronted not only with an attractive interior receptacle which is forcefully brought to his attention but also by the desired advertising message which is supposed to accompany it. The manner of presentation is not only unique, but also attractive and highly eifective.

In Figures 6-9, I have illustrated a slightly modified construction. The blank of figure 6 is dir. vided into the ten adjacent sections -59, of

which the sections 55-59 ar,e of the group entering into the construction of the receptacle for theproduct. At the opposite ends of the section 58 I have shown the end sections 60' and 61; and

on these end sections I have provided closure flaps 62 and 63, respectively. The other cooperative closure flaps 64, 65, 66, and 67 have been shown in association with the opposite ends of the sections 55 and 57. v

In assembling or setting up this receptacle,

the sections 55-59 are adjusted toward the reverse' face of the blank and the section 59 is caused to be brought into an overlying relationship with re'spect to the section 55, thereby forming a tube. The closure flaps 6467 are then turned inwardly to overlie the open end of the tube; the end sections 60 and 61 are brought down to cover the ends; and the flaps 62 and 63 are tuclr'ed in to hold the box or receptacle in set-up condition, as shown in Figure 8. The section 59 serves to seal the crack which would otherwise exist where the outer edge of the section 58 joins the outer (or lefthand) edge ofthe section 55.

-On the section 54 I have also provided the end sections 68 and 69, and on each of these I have found it desirable to provide closurefiaps 79 and '71. The section 50 may carry a button '72 and a string or the like 73, as hereinbefore described.

The manner in which this device is used will be obvious from the description hereinbefore given, and also from an examination of Figures ceptacle.

' Asin the preceding embodiment, the resultant device is staunch and compact andhighly emcient for mailing or similar purposes. when it is unwrapped, as indicated in Figures 7 and 8, the interior receptacle projects itself in a startling yet pleasing manner, whereby the attention and interest of the recipient are at once focussed upon it and upon the message that may be conveyed on the interior surface of the wrapper. It

is to be noted that this interior surface is the obverse face of the blank, which is the same face upon which the embellishment of the receptacle itself has been provided. In other words,

the original blank need be embellished or printed on only one side.

Furthermore, it is possible to detach the receptacle bodily from the wrapper sections, the receptacle remaining in set-up condition; Normally, however, the receptacle isfirmly attached at the edge 74 to the wrapper sections. sections are obviously an integral extension of one of the, walls of the receptacle, viz, the wall 55.

In Figures 10-13, I have illustrated a still further embodiment which differs from the preceding ones in that the group of contiguous sections which constitutes the necessary wall portions of the receptacle are not arranged in align- These ment with the sections entering into the wrapperloo portion of the device. In Figure 10, for example, the sections 80-454 are arranged side by side and form the tubular portion of the receptacle, the section 80 being caused-to overlie the section 84 when the-receptacle is assembled. The end wall sections 85 and 86 fulfill the same functions as before, as do the closure flaps 87-92;

The connection between these sections and those which enter into. the wrapper is made by the section 93 which is hinged to one end of the receptacle section 82. The section 93 is in position of Figure 12, in relationship to the advertising message that may be provided on the interior surface of the wrapper. In this form of device, it is effective to provide an-arrow 103 upon the connecting section 93, the advertising message having reference to the product, and the arrow leading the eye directly to a miniature (or full-size) replica of the commercial product.

As before, the receptacle may be detached. and will remain in self-sustaining, set-up condition. The sections 99 and 100 afford a convenient means for providing a coupon or the like to be filled out by the prospective customer.

It will be understood that the details of the several embodiments herein illustrated and described are given merely by way of illustration,

and that the invention lends itself readily to a number of modifications. It is not limited, for example, to receptacles of rectangular crosssection, and the blanks may be readily and easily modified to provide for receptacles of almost,

any polygonal cross-section. Obviously, at least three sections must be. provided in side-by-side relationship to permit them to be adjusted info a tube; Where three are used, the end wall sections would, of course, be correspondingly triangular; and similar modifications would have to be made if the receptacle were five-sided, sixsided, etc.

Furthermore, it is not necessary that a button and string of the type herein illustrated be used. In some cases, a sticker or metal clasp may be found satisfactory; or the wrapper may be provided with closure flaps which are adapted to tuck in without any additional fastening means. Also, although the inner receptacle has been shown in each case as being of a length which permits the outer wrapper snugly to enclose it on all sides, it may under certain circumstances be desirable to provide the initial blank with hinged sections which are so arranged and sized that the inner receptacle is somewhat shorter than the wrapper which encircles it. In such an event, the wrapper sections are preferably provided with additional flaps or sections which brace the opposite ends of the inner receptacle when the wrapping is accomplished.

It will be understood that the term tubular as used herein and in the appended claims is not intended to restrict the invention to a receptacle of any particular size, configuration, or shape, but merely to designate the general type of collapsible container which has been herein illustrated and referred to.

I am aware of previous box and receptacle constructions which have been provided for a variety of different purposes in a large number of different arts and industries. Many have included inner and outer layersof sheet material. So far as I am aware, however, no previous receptacle device of the present unique and attractive character has ever been devised, the present invention permitting the employment of a single blank to provide not only a self-sustaining, complete, interior receptacle, but also a group of wrapper sections to which the receptacle is permanently attached at only one" edge of the receptacle, the wrapper sections being adapted automatically to tmfold into a flat condition when they are removed from around the receptacle. This arrangement results in the attractive and striking presentation to the recipient of the interior complete receptacle when the device is opened, simultaneously with an effective presentation of an advertising message or the like on the interior surfaces of the wrapper portion.

It will be obvious, of course, that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a combined mailing wrapper and receptacle, a self-sustaining, knock-down, tubular receptacle formed of a single blank of sheet mate-. rial and having side Walls, endwalls, and closure flaps; at least one wall of said receptacle being provided with an integral exiension whose configuration and size are such as to permit it to be wrapped around the receptacle to form a complete enclosure therefor the opposed surfaces of the receptacle and said integral extension contacting in such manner as to permit unfolding of said extension from the receptacle.

2. A receptacle device of the character described, comprising a blank of sheet material composed of a plurality-of hinged sections to form a receptacle and a complete enclosure for the receptacle, at least one group of contiguous sections being shaped and arranged to constitute the cooperative side and end walls and also the closure flaps of a single-blank, knock-down receptacle of tubular type, whereby the sections of said group may be adjusted independently of the other sections of the blank to form a complete self-sustaining receptacle which is integrally united to said other. sections along one edge of said receptacle; the opposed surfaces of said receptacle sections and enclosure sections contacting in such manner as to permit unfolding of the enclosure from the receptacle.

3. A combination receptacle and wrapper therefor, comprising a blank of sheet material composed of a plurality of hinged sections, one group of at least three sections being arranged side by side to permit them to be adjusted to form a tubular receptacle, one section of said group being hinged at its opposite ends to sections adapted to form opposite end walls for said tube, said sections being also provided with cooperative closure flaps adapted to maintain said tube in closed, set-up condition, and the remaining sections of said blank being adapted to be wrapped around said tubular receptacle to form a loose wrapper completely enclosing the receptacle.

4. A receptacle device of the character described, comprising an integral blank of sheet material divided into a plurality of hinged sections, one group of contiguous sections being adjustable toward the reverse face of the blank into a closed, self-sustaining tubular receptacle whose outer surfaces are thereby those of the obverse face of the blank, the remaining sections being adapted to be adjusted toward the obverse face of the blank to provide a loose wrapper for said receptacle, the outer surfaces of the wrapper being thereby those of the reverse face of said blank; whereby the blank need be embellished on only the obverse face thereof to provide embellishment for the receptacle and also for those surfaces of the wrapper which become exposed when the wrapper is opened.

5. A blank of sheet material demarked into sections, one set of sections thereof being foldable on said demarkations to form a closed receptacle, and a second set of sections thereof being foldable to form a mailing wrapper for said receptacle; said second set of sections, when so folded, having their faces disjoined from the faces of the receptacle, so as to be unfoldable for access to the receptacle; and said receptacle, when so rendered accessible, being detachable, as a self-sustaining closed unit, from the container sections.

6. A blank of sheet material demarked into sections, one set of sections thereof being foldable on said demarkations to form a self-sustaining receptacle, and a second set of sections thereof being foldable to form a mailing wrapper for said receptacle; said second set of sections, when so folded, having their faces disjoined from the facesof the receptacle, so as to be unfoldable for access to the receptacle, in the selfsustaining state of the latter, and having the innerface thereof embellished for display when so unfolded.

7. A blank of sheet material demarked into sections, one set of sections thereof being fold- .able on said demarkations to form a self-sustaining receptacle, and a second set of sections thereof being foldable to form a mailing wrapper for said receptacle; said second set of sections, when so folded, having their faces disjoined from the faces of the receptacle, so as to be unfoldable for access to the receptacle; said receptacle sections being embellished to present an embellished self-sustaining receptacle when the container is unfolded; and the container sections being otherwiseembellished on the surfaces thereof which serve-as the inner face, to present an advertising display when the container is.

unfolded.

8. A device comprising a self-sustaining, completely closed, receptacle, and a wrapper therefor, of a single-blank of sheet material folded and flexible on lines which define the wall sections of the receptacle and wrapper; each such element of the blank thereby having an edgeto-edge hinge connection with the adjacent 'ele ment, for set-up and knock-down of the device; and the opposed faces of the wrapper and receptacle, in set-up condition of the device, being disjoined for free unfolding of the wrapper for access to the receptacle therein, in the selfsustaining condition of the latter, and for ex posure of the inner face of the wrapper, while the wrapper is connected as aforesaid to the receptacle.

9. A device comprising a self-sustaining receptacle, and a wrapper having parts in number, shape and size to completely enclose the receptacle, of a single blank of sheet material folded and flexible on lines which define the wall sections of the receptacle and wrapper; each element of the blank thereby having an edge-toedge hinge connection with the adjacent element, for set-up and knock-down of the device; and the opposed faces of the wrapper and receptacle, in set-up condition of the device, being disjoined for free unfolding of the wrapper for access to the receptacle therein, in the selfsustaining condition 01' the latter, and for exposure of the inner face of the wrapper, while the wrapper is connected as aforesaid to the receptacle.

10. A blank of sheet material demarked into sectional areas of number, shape and size to constitute elements for forming botha completely closed, self-sustaining receptacle and a wrapper adapted completely toenclose the receptacle, and foldable along the outlines of such areas for set-up of such receptacle in closed, self-sustaining condition, and for subsequent set-up of the wrapper parts of the blank around the thus set-up receptacle; and the opposed surfaces of wrapper and receptacle being loose on one another sothat, when thus set up, the blank is reversely unfoldable as to the wrapper parts for display of the receptacle in such set-up, selfsustaining condition with the wrapper attached thereto, and for display of any message on the inner face of the wrapper.-

11. A blank of sheet material demarked into sectional areas of number, shape and size to constitute elements for forming both a self-sustaining receptacle and a wrapper adapted completely to enclose the receptacle, and foldable along the outlines of such areas for set-up of such receptacle in self-sustaining condition, and for subsequent set-up of the wrapper parts of the blank around the thus set-up receptacle, and the opposed surfaces of wrapper and receptacle being loose on one another so that, when thus set up, the blank is reversely unfoldable as to the wrapper parts for display of the receptacle in such set-up, self-sustaining condition with the wrapper attached thereto, and for display of any message on the inner face of the wrapper.

12. A blank of sheet material demarked into sectional areas of number, shape and size to constitute elements for forming a self-sustaining receptacle and to constitute side and end walls for a wrapper therefor, adapted completely to enclose the receptacle, and foldable along the outlines of such areas for set-up of such receptacle in self-sustaining condition, and for subsequent set-up of the wrapper around such setup receptacle; the opposed faces of the wrapper and receptacle being disjoined, so that the wrapper may be unfolded for access to the receptacle; the blank being embellished on one side thereof and so foldable that when set-up such'embellishment appears on the inside of the wrapper and outside of the receptacle.

MILTON M. HEYMAN. 

